January Book Reviews! #sandracox#YvetteCalleiro #ColleenChesebro #RobbieCheadle #mustread #writingcommunity

Here are the books I read and reviewed in December that are four stars or higher. Plus, included are the 76 books read in 2025!

Silverhills’ Rescue

By Sandra Cox

I have loved the Silverhills series and was excited to see a new edition. All the familiar characters are back. When someone from the past arrives looking for help, Alexandra is ready to jump in and help. Brandon is still away tending cattle, but there are many to watch their twins. She sets out with Manuel and a hand, Charlie, to help the people at the mission who helped her. It’s a long journey, and it doesn’t always go smoothly. I love these characters, and especially Alex. She is strong, kind, stubborn, and willing to put her life on the line for those she cares for. The setting is so beautifully described that it makes me feel like I’m riding along with them. The pace is fast as they go from one situation to another. There was more than once when I thought: Oh no, how will they survive this? Plus, there was a lovesick horse and a desperate puma in the mix. This well-written western was hard to put down, and I can highly recommend it.

The One Redeemed (Chronicles of the Diasodz)

By Yvette M Calleiro

I have read and loved the entire Diasodz series and was thrilled to find out there would be a new addition to it. I was immediately drawn into Drake’s journey in the afterlife, which reminded me of the many chances in life that I might not have taken, although not to the same level as Drake did. “The One Redeemed” made it easy to empathize with a cruel and heartless character in the past and root for his soul’s current success. Redemption, love, and taking responsibility were the intended outcomes, but first Drake had to work through jealousy, power, lies, ruthlessness, and vengeance. Although this is a solo path for Drake to walk, he has a guide, and the Goddess was there for him, along with his past. I love the surprise twist at the end and the choices made. This is a unique story that is not only well-written and engaging but also has a beautiful spiritual message woven into it. It is not necessary to have read the rest of the series, as the reflections recap how Drake got to the point he did, but having read the series, it was great to revisit the Diasodz world. I can highly recommend this entertaining and thought-provoking tale!

Sunflower Tanka: A 2025 Anthology of Tanka, Tanka Prose, & Experimental Tanka

By editors & poets: Colleen M. Chesebro, Robbie Cheadle, and other contributors

This is the second edition of the Sunflower Tanka, and this year’s theme was dreams. Normally, I would list all the poets, but this year there were an amazing fifty-four, and too many to include. I am a fan of symbolic poetry and the tanka format. A favorite is tanka prose, but in reading this, I fell in love with the garland tanka and will be giving it a try. I enjoyed meeting each poet, some I knew, others were new to me. They were from all around the world and really added to the depth and perspective of this collection. There is no way I could narrow it down to just a couple of my favorites or outstanding examples; everything I read was good. I loved the different takes on dreams that wove through my emotions as I read. There were many I’d have to stop and reread to appreciate the beautiful images created. This could easily be one of my favorite collections, showcasing so many poetic voices. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves poetry!

Note: I took a small break from reading in December, and then I decided to reread a couple of books. One was my usual holiday read, “A Christmas Carol,” and the other was “The Stand.” Both are very worthy of another read!

2025 Books Read:

Embrace your inner child by reading a good book! D. L Finn (Denise)

New Release “The One Redeemed!” #preorder #yvettecalleiro #mustread writingcommunity

I’m thrilled to have Yvette Calleiro here today to share in her good news of the very soon-to-be-released book, “The One Redeemed.” I have loved the entire Diasodz Series, and I’m so excited that the journey continues with Drake.

Diasodz World

Welcome to the world of the Diasodz! Some of you may already be immersed in their world, but for those of you who are new to it, I wanted to share a little bit about it with you. I created this world almost fifteen years ago. It’s still hard to wrap my head around that. Diasodz are special beings who were created by the Goddess to live among humans. Their purpose was to heal and protect humans from evil in the world. Because they aged more slowly than humans, they needed a place to go where they could live a generation or two before coming back to Earth to reassimilate into society.

That is how Caelagios came to be! A lot of research went into creating the species and the world. You will learn about the characters at the next stop on this blog tour. When I was searching for a name for their world, I leaned on Latin and Greek root words. Caelestis is a Latin root word that means heavenly, and hagios is a Greek root word that means sacred, holy, and heavenly. So, I created a heavenly sanctuary for them – Caelagios.

Caelagios has much in common with Earth since Earth is their first home. The environment on Caelagios is more vibrant in color, and the animals are unique to its planet. Though they resemble some animals from Earth, their characteristics are a bit different. For example, a fox would have reflective fur so it blends into its surroundings easily. Birds have multi-colored feathers, and butterflies have iridescent wings. Swans are larger than those on Earth, and some are even golden in color.

Houses appear to be modest from the outside. Once inside, the house expands to include multiple floors and wings. Diasodz use portals to get from one place to the other. There are private portals within the home with restrictions on who can use them and public portals in main areas available to everyone.

Most importantly, in Caelagios, Diasodz can use their Goddess-given magic in most places. Their powers are restricted in the High Council’s courtroom and in the Elders’ presence. Using their powers freely allows them to perfect their skills without worrying about humans discovering them.

As beautiful and free as Caelagios is, it was never meant to be a permanent home for Diasodz. When they began treating it as such, their powers began to fade. And that led to the beginning of the series – the Diasodz had to fulfill the prophecy that claimed their powers could be restored if they could find the savior who could heal them all.

Thank you for joining me in learning a bit about the Diasodz’s world.

Blurb

Drake had been an agent for chaos, a tyrant who focused only on his desires, even when they hurt those he claimed to love the most. Would dying to protect his daughter redeem him? Or would he spend an eternity reliving his biggest regrets?

Electrifying pain coursed through Drake’s veins as he sacrificed his life to save his daughter. When he becomes conscious again, reality sets in. He is dead. While he is overcome with grief, his mortal enemy, Goddess, offers him a path to redemption. In order to find his way back to his children, he must first revisit his past and atone for his choices. The journey will be brutal, and his outcome is not guaranteed.

Failure is not an option for Drake. He will do anything to get back to his children to make amends for his actions, even if it means sacrificing himself all over again.

Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G5HZX97B/

To follow along The One Redeemed Tour, please visit the author’s blog. Thanks for supporting Yvette M Calleiro and her work!

Author Bio:

Yvette M. Calleiro is the author of the Chronicles of the Diasodz fantasy series, HYPE, and a couple of short stories. As a heavily addicted reader of both young adult and adult novels, she spends most of her time pseudo-living in paranormal worlds with her fictional friends (and boyfriends).

When she’s living among real people, Yvette M. Calleiro is a middle school Reading and Language Arts teacher. She’s been sharing her love of literature with her students for over twenty years. Besides writing about the various characters that whisper (and sometimes scream) in her head, she enjoys traveling, watching movies, spending quality time with family and friends, and enjoying the beauty of the ocean.

Although an avid traveler, Yvette lives in Miami, Florida, with her incredible son who has embraced her love for paranormal and adventurous stories. She also shares her space with an assortment of crazy saltwater animals in her 300-gallon tank.

Amazon Links:

Hype – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09L7BFNXG

The One Discovered (Chronicles of the Diasodz, Book 1) – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I4L2Q40

The One Enlightened (Chronicles of the Diasodz, Book 2) – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R0QI51I

The One Betrayed (Chronicles of the Diasodz, Book 3) – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0191O1892

The One Revealed (Chronicles of the Diasodz, Book 4) – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NBKJHIO

The One Awakened (Chronicles of the Diasodz, Book 5) – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0781WT73J

The One Redeemed (Chronicles of the Diasodz, Book 6) – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G5HZX97B/

The One Chosen – A Diasodz Short Story – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0986Q6P1D

Breathless – A Short Story – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BLVDHQX

Karma Doesn’t Kill – https://www.amazon.com/Karma-Doesnt-Kill-Yvette-Calleiro-ebook/dp/

A Christmas Homecoming – https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Homecoming-Short-Story-ebook/dp/B0DQK23BT8

Escaping the Woods: A Short Story – https://www.amazon.com/Escaping-Woods-Short-Yvette-Calleiro-ebook/dp/B0B558WVKX

Amazon Author Page – https://www.amazon.com/Yvette-M-Calleiro/e/B00I4RJMUU

Social Media Links:

Author Blog: http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/YvetteMCalleiro

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yvettemcalleiro

Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/yvettemcalleiro.bsky.social

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7800735.Yvette_M_Calleiro

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ycalleiro

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvette-calleiro-7303846/

October Book Reviews! #MaeClair #JeanLee #DawnPisturino #PatriciaFurstenburg #LauraLyndhurst #PTLPerrin #mustread #writingcommunity

Here are the amazing books I read in September that were four stars and higher. Click on the book titles for the Amazon link.

The Diamond Jack

By Mae Clair

Widow, Leah, is starting over in a new town as the schoolteacher and living with her brother and sister-in-law. On an outing to collect items for a lesson, she loses her ride back to town. Luckily, she runs into a young man, Shey, and a companion. He comes to her rescue not only then but again in town. Although she finds herself attracted to him, she worries about his age and reputation. Plus, that part of her life is over after a marriage of convenience. I liked the interaction between Shey and Leah, even against her better judgment. But as her sister-in-law was busy matchmaking for Leah with the town’s most eligible bachelors, Monk Sunday was lurking in the background, including him, trying to take advantage of her. The cruel man also had another reason for being there that had to do with Shey’s family. The growth of Shey was my favorite part of the story. Although the son of the affluent Lafferty family, he was known for his womanizing tendencies. Still, there was so much more to him than that label. The Old West settings drew me in, along with well-flawed characters, and I read this in two sittings only because I needed to sleep. I can easily recommend this well-written western romance.

Fallen Princeborn: Chosen

By Jean Lee

“Fallen Princeborn: Chosen,” a YA fantasy, is the second book in the series. Charlotte, the human, and the Princeborn, Liam, a magical being, were wonderfully flawed and interesting characters. The story began with Charlotte helping to get an injured Liam to safety. This led to an underwater world. There were many characters to get acquainted with, including magical bears and wolves, which became some of my favorites; however, the underwater ones were also intriguing, especially Captain. Fast-paced from the first page, it never let up. They were escaping and battling Orna, who appears to be impossible to kill. Plus, some humor balanced the painful depth and family history that Charlotte and Liam had. Even though I wished I had read book one and could have stopped reading to do so, the story had already hooked me. I will go back now and read the first book, and I am also hoping there is more to come. I can easily recommend this, but suggest you begin with “Fallen Princeborn: Stolen.”

When Secrets Bloom: Some secrets heal. Others kill. (Blood of Kings, Heart of Shadows)

by Patricia Furstenberg

“When Secrets Bloom” is a beautifully written historical fiction set in 1463 Transylvania. It follows two characters that I couldn’t help but root for, Kate the healer and Moise the printer’s apprentice. Kate is in a loveless marriage that has allowed her to keep her family home. She spends her time putting herbs together and healing the locals. The town physician isn’t happy with her results over his. Moise buries himself in books and his job until he feels responsible for what he believes to be a curse on one of his friends. Both are great characters with different paths, yet they share the same town. Poetic writing balanced the author’s attention to detail and knowledge of this history. But it was the story and the well-being of Kate and Moise that kept me reading late into the night. There were several twists, and although some things were resolved, I want to know what happens next. I look forward to the next book in the series and can easily recommend this.

The Mystery of the Pink Poodle

By Dawn Pisturino

Alina has everything a girl could want except the feeling of being loved by her divorced movie star mother and famous writer father. Her father hauls her off to a small living ghost town in Arizona, and finds she loves it, makes friends, and unravels a mystery. While Alina’s dad writes, she bonds with the woman who runs the inn and her daughters, but upstairs is the reclusive owner, who never leaves her room. Intrigued by the ex-movie star approaching their centennial, she sets out to meet her. What she finds is an old woman who can’t remember her past with a protective caretaker. The frail woman keeps asking for the pink poodle. Determined to help, Alina looks for answers to find the truth. I loved the relationship she developed with the innkeeper and her daughters and how they looked out for each other, something Alina never had. The setting and town were vivid and brought this story to life. It reminded me of the Nancy Drew mysteries I used to read. Even though the book is for middle-grade readers, I was entertained as an adult. I can easily recommend this.

You Know What You Did

By Laura Lyndhurst

Famous author Amanda has it all. With two lovely children, a devoted husband, a perfect home, and a successful career, things were great until her thirteenth book. Superstitious, she considers it bad luck. Then, every part of her life starts to unravel. Circumstances lead her to suspect that someone is targeting her, although she has no understanding of the motive. Told through two POV, it gives an insight into Amanda’s life being exposed and the second POV’s determination to make that happen. It wasn’t hard to sympathize with Amanda immediately, but with some unexpected twists, I could understand both sides of the story. Amanda was more on the self-absorbed side, while I loved going into the world of the other author or POV. A compelling read that had me reading late into the night to see what happens next. Luckily, the story continues with book two, and I look forward to seeing what is in store for both women. I can easily recommend “You Know What You Did.”

Dominion (Dragon Guild Book 3)

By P.T.L. Perrin

I have been eager to read the last book in the Dragon Guild. Gabri and Elio have been training other riders to prepare for the final battle against Ozul and Katzir. I love their developing relationships and the bonding of people, dragons, and plants, but little Alex and Tito shine among some of my already favorite characters. There is a lot of character development as more people are added, and families are together. The tension is always there, knowing something is coming, which makes it hard to put down. This setting, like always, is well depicted, giving life. Love, friendship, loyalty, and determination confront the pure cruelty of power. The ending completed an incredible tale. Although you could read this book and not be lost, I suggest you start with the first book and not miss anything. I highly recommend “Dominion” and the entire Dragon Guild series.

This is a day early because we are having a visitor tomorrow, you don’t want to miss! Next week is the tenth Creative Perspective Challenge. Only two more to go after that!

Embrace your inner child by reading a good book! D. L. Finn (Denise)

Books That Changed Me: 2025 Fall Edition! #JanSikes #NoelleAGranger #PTLPerrin #DawnPasturino#writingcommunity #mustreads

Welcome to the Books That Changed Me: 2025 Fall Edition! You’ve seen these books before with my review, but today I’m bringing them back with their blurb because good reads deserve attention. This time was hard to pick, I’ve been reading a great group of books that linger.

So, grab a cup of pumpkin latte, coffee, or tea with a nice slice of apple pie and settle down in the changing colors and read a great book this fall.

Daniel Boone and Me

By Noelle A Granger

BLURB

When the two Corey children are orphaned in an Indian attack on the frontier of Kentucky, Daniel Boone tracks their escape through the woods and brings them to his home in Fort Boonesborough. There they will live with him, his wife Rebecca, and their eight children in their crowded cabin, where she and her brother Thatch learn much about Colonel Boone and why he is regarded as one of the greatest frontier explorers and hunters. Eliza is soon immersed in the hard life of a frontier woman – doing the many household chores, working gardens and crops, foraging for food in the woods, and hunting. After surviving a pivotal historic event in the Revolutionary War – the siege of Boonesborough, Eliza’s own story is integrated into the remainder of Daniel Boone’s life, his constant uprooting of his family to unexplored areas, his failed business ventures, and his growing fame.
This is a tale of life’s challenges in frontier Kentucky, Eliza’s grit and determination in meeting them, and above all, high adventure. It offers a deep look into the long and amazing life of Daniel Boone through the eyes of a young girl.

A Bold Bargain (The Bargainer Series Book 3)

by Jan Sikes

BLURB

A Young Man With the Heart of a Wolf

Eighteen-year-old Jack Barlow Blaine is driven by unwavering compassion for all, and a thirst for knowledge. Born into poverty and haunted by a violent past, he’s determined to escape his history by helping others—whether human or animal, no matter the cost.

But when Jack discovers an elderly woman in crisis, he faces a choice that challenges everything he thinks he knows about living and dying. The bargain she offers promises a better future, if the price isn’t higher than he’s capable of paying.

As Jack grapples with his decision, he must summon the courage to honor their bargain if he accepts her offer.
How far is he willing to go to keep his word?

The greatest acts of kindness are the ones that demand the most from us—and every decision can unlock destiny’s doors.

Sanctum: Dragon Guild Book 1

By P.T.L. Perrin

BLURB

Two worlds separated by time and space, a frantic search, a powerful enemy, and a baby dragon… At sixteen, Gabri’s life is complicated.

When a nightmarish vision rips Gabri O’Connell from her home and family, she wakes up powerless in a freezing tower on a hostile planet.

Saved by a dragon and brought to Sanctum inside the planet, her rescuers don’t want her there.

Will a baby dragon be the key to her survival? Will Gabri ever see her family again?

Get your copy of SANCTUM today.
Literary Titan Book Award Winner

TEEN TO ADULT FANTASY ADVENTURE

Ancient Voices: Poems About Ancient Egypt

By Dawn Pisturino

BLURB

The Ancient Egyptians loved life and celebrated it with joy. Their deepest desire was to live an honorable life and achieve immortality in the afterlife, where they could exist in perfect harmony with the cosmic order and never experience pain, suffering, and hardship again. These original poems by Dawn Pisturino reflect the hopes and dreams of people who were not much different from us. They worked, loved, raised families, worshipped their gods, honored the dead, enjoyed festivals and celebrations, imbibed beer and wine, danced, sang, and played, aspired to better themselves, and appreciated the beauty and wonder of nature. Take a journey back in time to explore the minds and hearts of the Ancient Egyptians

NOTE: Two days until Miracles & Ghosts Past release, and John Howell is kicking off the blog tour on Wednesday. So there will be no Tuesday post tomorrow, but I will be posting the links here for the tour stops.

Embrace that inner child by reading a fantastic book this fall! D. L. Finn (Denise)

September Book Reviews! #PTLPerrin #TeaganRiordainGeneviene #lindabroday #jansikes #deborahjay #laurenscott #writingcommunity #bookreviews #whattoread

Here are the amazing books I read in August that were four stars and higher. Click on the book titles for the Amazon link.

Aerie: Dragon Guild Book Two

By P.T.L. Perrin

The story continues for Gabri, Eilo, and their dragons. They are still fighting the Shadow, while back home, Gabri’s family continues to search for her. The point of view switches between the two worlds, showing the love of family and a newly created family. A fight is coming, and the Dragon Guild is preparing for it by recruiting, scouting, and training. I love the developing relationship between Eilo and Gabri, but I think my favorite parts are the dragons and their riders, along with Ting. The pull between Gabri’s past and Donny, as well as her current life and Eilo, adds another layer that had me rooting for her to make the right decision. The settings bring this world both beauty and the ugly side of it to life. A hard story to put down, as I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I can’t wait to dive into the next book and can highly recommend “Aerie.”

The Dance of Discord: A Short Story: Gilded Age Intrigue

By Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

A quick but exciting read that takes the readers to 1900s Washington, DC. Secret Service agent Milo Quick and his sidekick Duchess Felina Gattone skillfully maneuver the world of political intrigue. Told through the Duchess’s perspective, there is never a dull moment. I knew there would be a twist coming and tried more than once to guess what it was, but in the end, I was completely surprised. The settings, language, and characters pulled me deep into the story. I loved all the international implications of learning who to trust. A fast-paced story that was hard to put down. I hope there is more to come featuring Milo and the Duchess!

Cade’s Quest: (Book 1 Sweet Western Romance)

By Linda Broday

Cade’s family was torn apart after outlaws killed his parents. His siblings were separated and sent to live with new families. Now, as an adult, he has returned home looking for his family and to reunite with them, including his older brother, who he had been told was riding with a gang. On his quest, Cade is attacked and ends up being treated by a local doctor. It’s here he finds his sister, Summer, but loses his freedom when the out-of-control sheriff decides he is a criminal too. Forced to flee, he finds the perfect hideout and a young woman and child who are also hiding out. Although townspeople remember him and his family and want to help him, the sheriff won’t give up and pursues him at any cost. I love the relationship that develops between him and Rain and her nephew. They are both searching for their place in the world, with someone determined to end that quest. Cade is loyal and complex, and Summer and Rain are strong, determined women. The history and setting pulled me right into their world. Although questions were answered, some weren’t. I can’t wait for the next book to see what happens next to this family. I can highly recommend “Cade’s Quest!”

A Bold Bargain (The Bargainer Series Book 3)

by Jan Sikes

“A Bold Bargain” is the third book in the Bargainer Series. I loved the first two books and was eager to read this one. Jack, who was a minor character in book two, had a tough childhood. Now grown up, he is working to protect animals, but his dream is to go to college. His past did not break him but made him into a kind, caring man whose first instinct is to rescue those who need help, whether a human or an animal. His first save is a dog drowning in the river, which ends up staying with Jack. Named Wolf after his mixed breed, this character becomes one of my favorites. What Wolf brought home touched my heart. When Jack finds an older woman who needs his help, he doesn’t hesitate. He finds not only her dog but also a friend. Their developing relationship is not only sweet, but what she offers him becomes the bargain. Although being the person he was without the bargain, he would have helped out. In this mix were a gold miner and his granddaughter, who added another layer that I fully enjoyed. The human connections and setting were amazing, but there was a dark side too, that included dangerous mink trappers, illness, and an abusive ex in the mix. Another great addition to the series that might be my favorite one. I can highly recommend this!

The Prince’s Man (The Five Kingdoms #1)

By Deborah Jay

“The Prince’s Man” is an exciting fantasy with settings and characters that pulled me right into it. It starts with a young girl, Risada, who watches her parents being brutally killed as she protects her little brother. Years later, this grown-up Lady Risada, the court’s secret assassin, teams up with Rustam, the court seducer and clandestine spy, to save their kingdom from a hostile takeover. While magic has been banned and feared in their realm, they rescue a tortured elf, Elwaes, from a cruel doctor. They have to survive the trek through the mountains with a sick elf to seek crucial support on the other side. The journey forces them to deal with magical beings, including trolls, a water seducer, and a werecat. Although there is an attraction between Risada and Rustam, there is also a lack of trust and borderline hatred from Risada. Their relationship is fascinating as it progresses, but I love how Rustam and the elf, Elwaes connect. A story I found hard to put down, and I look forward to seeing what happens next in the Five Kingdoms Series. I can highly recommend this!

King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry

By Lauren Scott

“King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry” is a beautiful tribute that deeply touched my heart. The words brought back memories I had of losing our sweet dog a couple of years back and of remembering the joy she brought us too. Our pets are such a gift, and this collection not only shows that but also offers comfort to all of us who have known the loss of a beloved pet. Here is an example of the depth of emotions: “A dog barks in the distance causing me to pause,/it sounds like Copper’s wild imagination longing for one more moment”—One More Moment. I can highly recommend this for all those who have loved and lost a pet family member.

NOTE: Don’t miss Thursday’s post from Jan and Linda 🙂 Next week is the 9th Creative Perspective Challenge!

Embrace your inner child by reading a good book! D. L. Finn (Denise)

July Book Reviews! #willowwillers #danantion #PTLPerrin #DawnPisturino #bookreviews #whattoread #writingcommunity

Here are the great books I read in June that were four stars and higher. Click on the book titles for the Amazon link.

Poetic Justice: A Rascal Todd Mystery Featuring Brody Thompson (Book 2 of 2: Rascal Todd Mystery)

by Dan Antion (Author), Willow Willers (Author)

Best-selling mystery author Brody Thompson is asked to help solve a real-life murder. Curious, Brody agrees to help Trevor figure out who killed his father and soon finds himself not only searching for a murderer but also in danger. After Trevor is attacked, Brody becomes more determined to find out what is going on. He runs across a character that held my attention or The Poet, who has been in hiding for years. The Poet communicates and leaves clues through poetry. Brody was a strong character who interacted with familiar characters from the past and met new ones, like Trevor’s mom. Journalist Rascal has a backup role in this story, but she is still there, along with her demanding kitty and the newsroom. The setting is woven nicely into the story, along with many delicious-sounding meals. I now want a pastry from the story. I found myself rooting for Brody and eager to find out more about The Poet. This can be a standalone read, but it’s nice to already be familiar with past characters. An engaging whodunit that had me guessing until the end.

Ancient Voices: Poems About Ancient Egypt

By Dawn Pisturino

“Ancient Voices” is a unique collection of poetry. Set in Ancient Egypt, each poem gives a glimpse into the lives of those who lived there. I could tell there was a lot of research that went into this collection and appreciated it. The fascinating setting provided both entertainment and learning. It’s hard to capture the essence of this book in a short review but here are three examples from the collection: “Love letter/buried in the sand/inscribed on stone/for eternal bliss…”—LOVE LETTERS, “Send me to my tomb with a blue lotus in my hair./My heart will dance with joy as I run through the Fields of Reeds,/Free of pain and disease. Limber as fallow deer, I will run,/Ecstatic in my youthfulness…”—THE BLUE LOTUS, and “I set out to write/The most beautiful poem in the world./Consulting the stars,/They quickly aligned/Into perfect letters of stardust/and cosmic dew…”—MOST BEAUTIFUL. A collection to be read more than once and one I can highly recommend.

Sanctum: Dragon Guild Book 1

By P.T.L. Perrin

I read and loved the Tetrasphere series and was thrilled to see the story continue with many returning characters set at a later date. Reading the previous series isn’t necessary as the author does a good job of bringing the readers into this world with beautiful settings and strong characters. Gabri, who was a baby at the end of Tetrasphere, is now almost sixteen years old. Something is after Gabri that her family and friends can’t protect her from, and is kidnapped and removed from all she loves. She finds herself on an unknown world imprisoned in a cold, damp cell by the enemy she calls the Shadow. Here her special abilities are gone and all she wants to do is go home. In the darkest of her moments, she gets unexpected help. This is an exquisitely described place where dragons co-exist with intelligent plants and there’s an ongoing battle between good and evil. Some questions are answered while others remain, and I can’t wait to continue the journey in the next story! A well-written YA fantasy that I can easily recommend.

Next week is the Creative Perspective Challenge Seven!

Embrace your inner child by reading a fantastic book! D. L. Finn (Denise)

May Book Reviews! #BFRandall #ElizabethGauffreau #RobbieCheadle #jacquimurray #stacitroilo #TeaganRiordainGeneviene #sarahpenner #writingcommunity #bookreviews #whattoread

Welcome to my May book reviews! These are four and five-star reads from April.

Three Gates to Hell: Hell’s Detours Can Lead to Heavenly Destinations

By B. F. Randall

“Three Gates to Hell” was a hard book to put down. It is a Christian suspense story set in the Bay Area, which caught my attention as I was born and raised there. Bobby is a prison chaplain in San Quentin who has received a request that he didn’t like. The story flashes back in his time in Vietnam to his career in the Oakland Police Department, and his family life. The little details made it feel like it was a real story being told, not fiction. Bobby is a devoted family man and a hardened cop with a heart. The gritty story weaves his progression to faith, creating a character I rooted for. A well-written faith-based novel I can highly recommend!

Poetry Treasures 5: Small Pleasures

By DL Mullan, Barbara Harris Leonhard, Jude Kirya Itakali, Ivor Steven, Robbie Cheadle, Michelle Ayon Navajas, Gwen M. Plano, Elizabeth Gauffreau, David Bogomolny, Dawn Pasturino, Maggie Watson, Colleen M. Chesebro

I have enjoyed the Poetry Treasures collections and was eager to read this one. As always, I found a gifted group of international poets. I appreciate how it is set up with the author’s background and then the poetry. There’s symbolic and free-verse poetry with various topics and beautiful images to accompany them. I encountered both familiar and new poets, and each one of them pulled me with their words. A perfect book for a quiet afternoon or to wind down before you go to sleep. I can highly recommend this to any poetry lovers.

Burning Butterflies: Poetry About Southern African Flora and Fauna

By Robbie Cheadle

This book, “Burning Butterflies”, offers insight into Southern Africa with stunning art, photos, and poetry. The paintings are stunning, and the personal pictures allowed me to immerse myself in a place I’ve never been. The words, though, not only entertained but educated me about animals I’ve only seen in the zoo. Plus, Ms. Cheadle followed up poems with additional details which I appreciated. I don’t want to pick a favorite poem because I felt like they worked together to tell a story. Worry is expressed for survival for some and how others survive. Plus, there’s a focus on the environment and what grows and blooms there. I can highly recommend this fantastic collection for those who not only care about our planet but love poetry, art, and nature.

Badlands (Savage Land #2)

By Jacqui Murray

The story continues as the different groups escape the volcano’s devastation. Yu’ung leaves her tribe in the hands of B’o as she accompanies the Old One to the mountain clan along with their proto-wolf. This allows the story to be told through more than one point of view and tribes as Yu’ung runs into issues that set them back. Despite the destruction of their environment, there persists a lack of trust among different tribes and species, but it also creates an opportunity for individuals who typically wouldn’t cooperate to do so. Having read the other series and the first book, I was eager to see what happened next. This story didn’t disappoint and had some twists and heart-stopping moments. The growth of Yu’ung into a strong leader is great to watch, and I have a soft spot for the wolves. Character integration feels seamless, yet identifying trustworthy individuals remains difficult. The details though are what draw me in and I feel like I understand as best I can the life our ancestors led. I can’t wait for the third book to see how the journey goes. I can highly recommend this, and it can be read as a standalone, but I’ve enjoyed reading it from the beginning and getting to know the characters better.

Weeping Boughs Don’t Break

By Staci Troilo

“Weeping Boughs Don’t Break” is a family drama that focuses on a woman’s journey to independence, despite everything seeming against her. Claudia’s unexpected divorce is five years behind her. After suffering years of mental abuse and her husband’s cheating, she still lives in the house that carries all those memories, and all the debt. When her now-married ex-husband collapses, she gets a call from her children. They need her. So, as a good mother and a person who puts everyone in front of her, she goes to support them. But instead of giving that support, she finds out she’s responsible for making medical decisions for her ex. His current wife leaves unwilling to care for a sick man. Although Claudia reluctantly agrees to help because of her in-laws and kids, it takes a toll on her and reopens old wounds. The details of her Italian family and their faith added a special level to an already compelling situation. Plus, during all of this, she meets a kind, handsome man who befriends her, just when she needed it. A well-written Christian drama that I found hard to put down and can easily recommend!

The Conjurer’s Wife

By Sarah Penner

A young woman named Olivia is the wife of a famous magician in 1820s Venice. Suffering from amnesia after an accident, she helps her husband on stage, although she has no idea how he does his tricks. The husband appears to use her as a prop, but she is slowly rebelling. When one of their acts produces a fox, she immediately takes charge of it. Her care for the little fox leads her to search places she hasn’t been before. It’s here she discovers a secret. My theories regarding her fate were almost correct, but the truth still surprised me. A short story with an engaging historical setting and fantasy for those who like a bit of mystery, and a twist.

The Alchemist and the Woman in Trousers: a Cornelis Drebbel Adventure

By Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

“The Alchemist and the Woman in Trousers” was my introduction to Ms. Geneviene a few years ago on her blog, part of a weekly series. So, it was fun to revisit the story and read it in a couple of sittings. Felicity is a Victorian woman who refuses to wear the painful corsets with her gowns, but is more comfortable in her trousers. She travels with an alchemist, Cornelius, who isn’t exactly alive. Felicity comes across a young girl, Copper, who needs their help as an orphanage is coming to collect her, with her father missing. Plus, it isn’t only the orphanage that’s interested, including some unusual chimpanzees. Because of the circumstances, Felicity and Cornelius are left with only one option: keep Copper safe. Their search for Copper’s father drives the plot, featuring harmonic tuners, a purple world, villains, and an unusual green fairy. Steampunk and fantasy elements spring to life through vivid settings. An imaginative story that not only kept me entertained but also invested me in Copper, Felicity, and Cornelius’s outcome. I can easily recommend it to those who love an enjoyable steampunk fantasy.

Next week is the Creative Perspective Challenge, which is a week late due to my vacation. Will update soon on that!

Embrace your inner child by reading and reviewing a good book! D. L. Finn (Denise)

2025 Spring Edition of Books that Changed Me! #johnwhowell #dwallacepeach #jacquimurray #whattoread #fivestarreads #writingcommunity

Hello!

Welcome to the spring edition of Books That Changed Me! Although it is officially spring now, we just got our winter. Had some snow, just the right amount, not too much or too little. Now, though, I’ve enjoyed the cold weather and I’m ready for the flowers and birds to return.

Spring is the perfect time to curl up with a good book and maybe sit outside to read. Here are three books with their blurbs, if you haven’t read they’d make great additions to your reading list. Click on the book cover or title for the Amazon link.

In no particular order:

Detour on the Eternal Road

by John W. Howell

BLURB

The third book in the Eternal Road series. Sam and James are dragged into another strange assignment when a couple of souls on The Eternal Road drop off the radar. Archangel Michael gives them specific orders to resolve the issue and get Billy Ray Chitwood, the national race car champion, and Dale Earnhardt, his guide, back on the task of finding Billy’s Eternal Home.
Finally, meeting up with Billy Ray and Dale, the foursome finds themselves in the future where World War III has devastated the country. The team discovers the cause of the start of the war and vows to mitigate that circumstance and save the world from devastation. They encounter their old nemesis, Lucifer, who has in mind trading preventing the war in exchange for Sam accepting his offer to be his queen.
Since Lucifer’s offer is a non-starter, Sam and James must overcome Lucifer’s interference and work to change the course of history, or humankind is doomed.

Tale of the Seasons’ Weaver

by D. Wallace Peach

“Already the animals starve. Soon the bonemen will follow, the Moss Folk and woodlings, the watermaids and humans. Then the charmed will fade. And all who will roam a dead world are dead things. Until they too vanish for lack of remembering. Still, Weaver, it is not too late.”

In the frost-kissed cottage where the changing seasons are spun, Erith wears the Weaver’s mantle, a title that tests her mortal, halfling magic. As the equinox looms, her first tapestry nears completion—a breathtaking ode to spring. She journeys to the charmed isle of Innishold to release the beauty of nature’s awakening across the land.

But human hunters have defiled the enchanted forest and slaughtered winter’s white wolves. Enraged by the trespass, the Winter King seizes Erith’s tapestry and locks her within his ice-bound palace. Here, where comfort and warmth are mere glamours, she may weave only winter until every mortal village succumbs to starvation, ice, and the gray wraiths haunting the snow.

With humanity’s fate on a perilous edge, Erith must break free of the king’s grasp and unravel a legacy of secrets. In a charmed court where illusions hold sway, allies matter, foremost among them, the Autumn Prince. Immortal and beguiling, he offers a tantalizing future she has only imagined, one she will never possess—unless she claims her extraordinary power to weave life from the brink of death.

In the lyrical fantasy tradition of Margaret Rogerson and Holly Black, D. Wallace Peach spins a spellbinding tale of magic, resilience, and the transformative potency of tales—a tapestry woven with peril and hope set against the frigid backdrop of an eternal winter.

Endangered Species (Savage Land Book 1)

by Jacqui Murray

Savage Land is the third trilogy about prehistoric man in the series, Man. Vs. Nature.Written in the spirit of Jean Auel, Savage Land explores how two bands of humans survived one of the worst natural disasters in Earth’s history, when volcanic eruptions darkened the sky, massive tsunamis crossed the ocean in crushing waves, and raging fires burned the land. Each of the tribes considered themselves apex predators. Neither was. That crown belonged to Nature and she was intent on washing the blight of man from her face.

Endangered Species is Book One of the trilogy. Yu’ung and her Neanderthal tribe must align with Fierce and his Tall Ones—an advanced tribe of humans. Even then, survival is not ensured. The story starts in the Altai Mountains of Siberia as they prepare for a cross-continent journey to a new home away from the volcano’s devastation.

Join me in this three-book fictional exploration of Neanderthals. Be ready for a world nothing like what you thought it would be, filled with clever minds, brilliant acts, and innovative solutions to life-ending problems, all based on real events. At the end of this trilogy, you’ll be proud to call Neanderthals family.

Note: If you are subscribed to my newsletter, it came out today. Check your email 🙂

Embrace your inner child by reading a great story! D. L. Finn

New Release! Tale of the Seasons’ Weaver by D. Wallace Peach #newrelease #fantasy #dwallacepeach #writingcommunity

I’m so excited to have Diana here today to share in her latest release, Tale of the Seasons’ Weaver! Here’s my five-star review 🙂 LINK

Thanks so much for kindly hosting me on Day 6 of my tour, Denise. It’s a delight to head south into northern California’s wintery weather today and visit with you and your followers.

Thus far, on my tour, I’ve been sharing the folklore origins of my magical beings, creatures, and monsters on which the characters of the Tale of the Seasons’ Weaver are based. Today, I’m going in a different direction and talking about my thoughts behind autumn and the personification of the season in the Autumn Prince.

He’s a main character, full of romantic possibility, and I couldn’t leave him on the tour’s sidelines.

To me, autumn is a season of contradictions. The days are getting shorter, the light fading. Gardens are going to seed. Worms and bugs are chomping on what’s left of the kale and squash. Rain and cooler weather are harbingers of the coming frost and snow and all the hardships winter brings. Autumn is in many respects a time of drawing back and dying.

And yet, autumn is also welcome, a reprieve from the heat of summer and a time of harvest and plenty. Most of all, it’s astonishingly beautiful. How clever of Mother Nature (or the Autumn Prince) to link such beauty with the process of letting go and dying—to the point that we almost don’t notice the approaching winter until it arrives on our doorsteps.

On the magical isle of Innishold, where glamour holds sway and life is always perfect and everlasting, the charmed courtiers lack emotional complexity. They’re immortal; they’re bored, and they fill their time with dancing and feasting and courtly drama. Suffering, especially human suffering, is alien to them. But not so with the Autumn Prince who lives eternally on the brink of loss.

And perhaps that’s why Erith, half mortal and half charmed, finds him so compelling.

Excerpt: Erith and Brynlan Firesage, the Autumn Prince

I graciously accepted the prince’s invitation, and he whirled me into a dreamlike waltz, his elegance effortless, his every movement a study in grace. Without pause, we transitioned into a brisk twirling sprint that left me warm to my toes. I begged off a third spin around the bonfire, needing a moment to catch my breath, and he accompanied me to the tables where mulled wines and buttery spirits spilled into silver-banded goblets.

“Water please,” I said when he reached for the wine.

“It’s all water.” He filled a goblet. “You will taste wine, smell its flavors, and feel its warmth, but only if you give yourself over to its glamour.” He angled a look at me, awaiting my opinion.

I swirled the ruby liquid rippling in my cup. Perhaps my human half prevented me from seeing the water for what it was. When I braved a sip, I tasted wine, smooth and sweet, infused with hints of winterberry and woodsmoke.

“Wine,” I said with a laugh, my guardedness surrendering at his feet. “You’re not an illusion, are you?”

He studied me through his dark lashes, his amused smile shaded with a melancholy he covered with a quiet chuckle. “Of course. To a degree. Aren’t we all, in some way, illusions?”

“No.”

“Is that so?” His eyebrows rose in challenge. “Tell me, are there times when you hide your feelings? Hold back your words? Pretend you are braver than you feel? Is it truly your nature to dress in black? I suspect those are all illusions.”

“In a sense. But I’m incapable of glamour. I’m half human, part of the mundane world.”

“A coveted mix.” He sipped his wine. “I envy your connection to the human imagination.”

I blinked at the odd confession and turned to the merriment unfolding within the fire’s ring of light. “For most villagers here, it’s the other way around. They envy the magic. They’re dazzled.”

“And those who fear us? Where are they?”

“At home, waiting for spring. They need the change in seasons more than the charmed do. Their lives depend on it.”

“And the charmed depend on them.”

“On humans?” I faced him, smirking at the strange perspective. “I’ve listened to village storytellers who spin tales about the charmed, and it’s usually the other way around. Some accounts are as gentle as a hare, others as fearsome as the wylyali. All wondrously fanciful, and not always true.”

“The difference is imagination.” He tapped his forehead. “Human beings are excellent storytellers. Better than the Mori Duglum. Leagues better than us. You shall see it for yourself.” I gave him a sideways glance, and he chuckled. “You’re skeptical, but I assure you, immortality leads to a numbing level of monotony. Day in and day out, little changes. Thus, it all becomes stale.”

“Unless one accounts for glamour. You can turn anything and everything beautiful.”

“Beauty without substance.” He raised his goblet to the bonfire. “Unlike in the mortal world where stories create history, shape the present, and write the future. What are we but the sum of our joys and tragedies? Where humans use stories to make meaning of their lives, the charmed rely on the human imagination to exist.”

Blurb:

Bio

Best-selling author D. Wallace Peach grew up surrounded by her father’s well-loved paperback books. Fantasy was a staple, but it was Tolkien’s The Hobbit that planted the seeds which would grow into a passion for writing.

Peach started writing later in life when years of working in business surrendered to a full-time indulgence in the imaginative world of books. She was instantly hooked.

In addition to fantasy books, Peach’s publishing career includes participation in various anthologies featuring short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. She’s an avid supporter of the arts in her local community, organizing and publishing annual anthologies of Oregon prose, poetry, and photography.

Peach lives in a log cabin amongst the tall evergreens and emerald moss of Oregon’s rainforest with her husband, two owls, a horde of bats, and the occasional family of coyotes.

Links

Tale of the Seasons’ Weaver

Amazon Author Page

Myths of the Mirror Blog

Wallace Peach Books

January Book Reviews! #JacquiMurray #IvyLogan #yvettemcalleiro #DWallacePeach #writingcommunity #bookreviews #whattoread #mustreads

Here are the great books I read in December that were four stars and higher. Click on the book titles for the Amazon link.

Please note my fun news after the reviews!

Endangered Species (Savage Land #1)

By Jacqui Murray

I have been eager to read “Endangered Species.” The story continues focusing on the Neanderthals who are called the People and the Tall Ones who are the homo sapiens. Their lives are about daily survival and hunting, but nature plays a powerful role in this story as they face another challenge. Yu’ung, the healer’s daughter, is a young female in the People. She has been trained to be a hunter, heal, and lead. She has unique abilities to see and read the landscape better than anyone else, but she also gets visions guiding her. Shandar is a young male who doesn’t fit in, but he also gets visions and learns of his life’s path. I love that we are revisited by a favorite character from the past, Xhosa in these visions, along with some favorite canis. Shander and his canis pack’s quest is to find and save Yu’ung and her group while Yu’ung’s is to become the alpha or leader as nature changes their world. The setting is rich and detailed and I can imagine this world from 75000 years ago. It was good to see them cooking now over how their ancestors, like Xhosa, ate their food raw. Told through mainly Yu’ung and Shander’s POV, we do see the world through Yu’ung’s mother the healer’s eyes, and nature’s too. Yu’ung is a character I quickly fell in love with and was rooting for her and her group. I kept urging them to move on as their situation became more dire. A mesmerizing story based on well-researched history that I had a hard time putting down. I read it in two sittings. It is a gift when you can learn as well as be entertained. I highly recommend this and can’t wait for the next story in the series!

And Then You Were Gone

By Ivy Logan

Something has happened to Nina’s daughter, Sophie. I had some guesses about what that could have been but ended up being wrong. The story quickly dove into the past, leading to Nina’s current fears. This is told through Sophie’s diary and Nina’s introspection until Sophie’s narration. Nina had an unsuccessful youthful marriage but found her way in writing books and raising her beloved daughter. They were very close since her ex was no longer in the picture until the bullying began at school for Sophie. She seemed unable to get past it even with her best friend, Nick’s support. This story hooked me from the first page, and I read it in one sitting just to find out what happened to Sophie. While tackling some deep subjects like bullying and its psychological effects, it also dove into family, friendship, and a mother’s love. Unexpected events followed Nina’s well-intentioned efforts. A well-written story that I can highly recommend!

Tale of the Seasons’ Weaver

By D. Wallace Peach

Erith is half human and half charmed/magical and lives in between worlds. She has replaced her deceased mother as The Seasons’ Weaver and has been given the burden of weaving the next season into existence. On the eve of spring, she takes a tapestry into the charmed land. Instead of it being a simple process of changing winter into spring, the King of Winter refuses to allow the change. He insists she continues his season by only weaving winter, but the human world can’t survive if spring doesn’t come. Unprepared for this magical world, she is at a loss on how to fight for what she knows needs to be done. I could easily empathize with Erith as the odds seemed stacked against her, but she didn’t completely give up, either. The relationship between Erith and Autumn’s Prince was easy to root for and the attraction was immediate. The setting was lush and vividly painted, drawing me into both worlds, one of humans and one of magic. In a place where Erith must learn who to trust, she also must trust herself. That is one of my favorite parts as she learns who she is and her place in the world. I recommend this well-written fantasy that had me hooked, eager to discover what would unfold next.

A Christmas Homecoming: A Short Story

By Yvette M Calleiro

Mary has lost her beloved adoptive parents. After spending a year with her cold grandmother, she inherits not only her parents’ money but an address for her birth parents. Having nothing to lose, she hops on a plane to Miami at Christmas. She was told they wanted her to meet them when she turned eighteen but started second-guessing that. What if things had changed? Mary goes from the only home she’s known to a bright, warm world, and a culture she knows nothing about. I love how open she is to meeting her birth parents, but simultaneously giving her chosen parents all the love they deserve for giving her a good life. Each step of her journey she reflects on her past and possible future. Although a fast read, I was involved with Mary’s quest and felt the emotions with her. I can highly recommend this beautiful short story for the holiday season, or anytime, that shows the strength and bond of love and family.

NOTE: Next week I’ll be sharing my Creative Perspective Challenge. It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a while. There will be an image to inspire you to write flash fiction or poetry. I’d like to keep the word count under 1000 words, but if it goes over no worries, sometimes the story decides for us. The following week I’ll post all the links of those who participated. To start off it will be once a month, the week following my Book Reviews. More information next week!

Embrace your inner child in 2025 and read a good story! D. L. Finn